Leading Democrats quickly set aside their reservations about progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed after his win in the Michigan Senate primary was confirmed on Wednesday, welcoming the former public health official as their champion against Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Key Race for Senate Control
Michigan is now crucial to Democrats' hopes of retaking the Senate in November's midterm elections. Winning there would help them thwart Donald Trump's legislative agenda and block his judicial nominees for the final two years of his presidency, while a defeat could undermine their chances of gaining a majority for years. Rogers lost a Senate race in Michigan two years ago by a slim margin to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.
In a joint statement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senate campaign arm, said: "Democrats are united by a common purpose: putting a check on Donald Trump by defeating his Republican enablers and taking back the Senate. We look forward to working with Abdul and Democrats across Michigan to win this seat in November."
Primary Results and Party Unity
Schumer was among many Democratic establishment figures who had backed Stevens before the vote, as polls showed her trailing El-Sayed. He won by a slimmer margin than polls indicated, with 48.5% to Stevens's 47.5%. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who had endorsed Stevens, said: "There's a lot of passion and energy in these primaries, and that's a good thing. Democrats are ready to beat Republicans across the state. We're all united by our shared goal of getting things done for the people in Michigan."
Democratic leaders believe they have the right candidates to win back the Senate – which Republicans control 53-47 – by holding Michigan and Georgia while ousting Republicans in Maine and three other red states. They see opportunities in North Carolina, Ohio, and Alaska, though all three backed Trump in 2024, with Ohio and Alaska by double-digit margins.
Endorsements and Reactions
Senator Gary Peters, whose decision not to seek re-election sparked the primary, backed Stevens but quickly endorsed El-Sayed after his win. Peters said: "Both candidates ran strong campaigns focused on improving the lives of all Michiganders. But now it's time to come together as a party and rally around our nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, to make sure Mike Rogers never sees the floor of the US Senate."
Stevens congratulated El-Sayed but did not outright endorse him, instead indicating she was ready to campaign for him and other Democrats. She said: "This was a thorough and rigorous campaign that brought out the full span of views within the Democratic party – and that is why we have primaries. I am proud to have put up my hand to serve, and prouder to continue to work together to make sure this Senate seat remains blue, that we flip the United States Senate and continue the work for Michigan."
Republican Attacks and Key Issues
Republicans quickly attacked El-Sayed as too far left for Michigan, a state that backed Trump in 2016 and 2024. Rogers said: "The choice this November is simple: common sense or complete insanity." He blamed Democrats for manufacturing job losses and said El-Sayed "doesn't represent a vision for the future. He's leading a movement grounded in ideological fanaticism."
The primary was animated by the Israel-Gaza issue, with Stevens supporting continued US aid to Israel and El-Sayed calling for an end to military support over actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The United Democracy Project, a Super Pac linked to Aipac, spent over $30m to support Stevens and oppose El-Sayed, to no avail. El-Sayed now joins insurgents in Denver, New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia who wooed voters by vowing to stand up for Palestinian rights.
The IfNotNow Movement, a Jewish group opposed to Israel's policy towards Palestinians, said: "Abdul's victory is a win for everyone who supports equality, justice, and a thriving future for all. We urge those who see Abdul's support for Palestinian human rights and blocking weapons to Israel as a threat to our community to reconsider. It is incredibly dangerous to conflate Jewish safety with support for Aipac or Israel's military."
